Squatting might be illegal, but it doesn't stop people moving into empty homes in an attempt to claim them as their own.
And as Flash Shelton, from Nevada, California, came to learn, it can take months or even years to evict non-paying residents from your property as they're covered by squatters' rights.
But when squatters took over his mum's house after she moved out following the death of his father, Flash decided to take matters into his own hands and play them at their own game.
The trouble started when the house was put up for rent and a woman claiming to be a prison guard asked if she could move in.
However, she said she didn't have any credit or money so he declined - but that didn't stop her.
Flash found a truckload of the woman's belongings inside the property, with her claiming they were "delivered by accident and she was getting rid of it."
He has taken to YouTube to share how he successfully removed the squatters by simply installing cameras inside and out.
If they could take a house, then I could take a house," he said. "They're the squatter, and they have rights. Well, then, if I become the squatter on the squatter, then I should have rights, right?"
Flash, who works as a handyman, tried to go down the official route by contacting the police - but decided to give his idea a try after hearing "horror stories about how the legal system gives the squatter more rights than the homeowner."
He said: "I decided to come up with a way on my own to get them out in less than a day.
"Even though you're at your house, and you're paying the mortgage… at some point, squatters feel like they have more rights than you, so they don't have incentive to leave until a judge tells them to.
"And that could take months, six months, it could take years. I don't know. I didn't want to take that chance."
When Flash showed up to his mum's house in Northern California, he waited outside in his car until everybody left.
Flash then entered the property using his own key and installed cameras throughout its many rooms.
While waiting for the squatters to return 'home', he recorded what he saw inside the house - including boxes, furniture and other belongings.
After spotting him outside the house, two of the women approached him, with one saying: "'I'm really sorry about all this. It's a nightmare and beyond."
He calmly told them they needed to move all of their belongings out by midnight otherwise he would have everything removed.
The threat appeared to work as the squatters began to pack up their belongings before moving out.
"I think just the fact that I was there was enough," he said. "It was actually fun to do it. I won't lie about that. I'm glad it was successful."
Although Flash was successful, he warned others to be cautious about taking matters into their own hands.
"I don't suggest that everyone take a chance like I did on their own. It's worth noting that I have had special training, a license to carry and was prepared for whatever situation was to arise," he said.
"The men and women I had to deal with remained peaceful and that may not always be the case. If you ever have a situation like this, it is best to expect the worst and you will be prepared."
Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
